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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Mediterranean Diet and Gene-Mediterranean Diet Interactions in Determining Intermediate Cardiovascular Disease Phenotypes

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According to European statistics, 2008 for CVD, the leading causes of death in Europe are coronary heart disease and stroke. In Europe, deaths from these diseases are 4.3 million each year. Nearly half (48%) of all deaths are due to CVD (54% of deaths in women and 43% of deaths in men). Regional variations in cardiovascular mortality have been observed both between and within countries in Europe (Sans et al., 1997; Muller et al., 2004). Coronary heart disease mortality patterns showed a clear north–east to south–west gradient in CVD mortality (1990–1992; 45–74 years age-adjusted) with the lowest rates for both men and women in France, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy (Sans et al., 1997). Many factors could be related to the different distribution (eating behaviours, life style, and genetics).